Buckle



P. W.- WHITE BUCKLE Filed July 1, 1942 Patented Oct., 341, 1944 BUCKLE Paul W. White, Waterbury, Conn.,assignor to Parva Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1942, Serial No. 449,237 12 claims. ,(301.24-194) This invention relates `to buckles, and more particularly to Slide buckles adapted to be mountT ed on straps such as belts or the like for detachably securing or supporting garments or other articles, and the invention has foran object the provision. of a slide' buckle of this character which is of a lightweight but sturdy construction, is inexpensive to'rnanufacture and is effective t rmly clamp or readily release a strap as desired.

Slide buckles comprising a pair of slidably'engaging sheet metal frames, having side bars and cross bars defining strap-receiving openings therethrough, have heretofore been proposed. Cross bars on the frames are arranged to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions. While many of such sheet metal buckles have been found highly` satisfactory, the construction thereof is not such as to adapt them readily to manufacture from other materials, particularly materials having less unit strength and thus requiring greaterv thickness to provide a comparably sturdy buckle. Furthermore, in such sheet metal constructions the frames are usually retained in'slidable relation with each other by bending portions of one or both of the frames into interlapping relation with the other frame, and such `bending operations are not feasible where molded or cast materials are em.` ployed. The use of molded or cast materials, particularly certain of the recently developed plastic materials, for belt buckle constructions includes numerous advantages, including a saving in the consumption of metal, and accordingly it is a further object of this invention to provide a slide buckle construction which may 'be formed either in Whole or in part from molded formed of molded plastic material, which frame member is shaped to enclose and Vslidably support a cooperating slide memberformed of metal or any .other suitable material. Preferably both the frame member and the slide member are provided with side bars connected together by spaced-across bars defining strap-receiving openings and co-operating cross bars on the frame and the slide are arrangedfto clamp the strap, upon the application lof tension thereto, indesired adjusted positions.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the plastic frame member comprises a pair of intertting members adapted to bepermanently se-` cured together so as to support the slide therebetween for limited sliding movement, and o'ne of the cross bars on the plastic frame member is so formed as to insure a wedging clamping action and so correlated with the slide member as to prevent improper threading of the buckle.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should now be had to the drawing in which:

Fig. l isa front elevational view of a buckle embodying this invention applied to a belt or strap, the belt erstrap being shown fragmentarily; y

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the longitudinal center line of Fig. 1 and illustrates the buckle in threaded position.

` Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the buckle in clamping position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse'sectional view of one of the frame members of the buckle taken substantially along the line 4---4v of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slide member employed in the buckle of Fig. 1.

` Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the plastic frame members of the buckle of Fig. 1 viewed from the rear side thereof, and y Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second plastic frame member which forms a closure cap or insert adapted to interfit with the fram'e member ofFig.6.

Referring now to the drawing, the invention as shown is embodied in a buckle comprising a main frame member I0 formed of suitable molded or cast material such as plastic, compris ing a pair of spaced apart side bars Il and I2 connected by a plurality of spaced cross bars I3, I4 and I5 so as to forma pair of strap-receiving openings IB and Il. The under surface of the cross bar I3, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3, is formed to provide a substantially at, inclined surface I3, and a curved bulging surface i9, the purpose of which will be vmore fully described hereinafter. As shown best in Fig. 4, portions of the sidebars Il and l2 and the cross bars I3 and I4 of the frame I0 are cut away in a manner, which will be more fully described hereinafter, to provide a generally rectangular recess or opening (shown best in Fig. 6) for receiving a slide member 20 (Fig. 3) and a closure cap or insert member 2l (Fig. '7), which is in the form of a second plastic frame member, and serves, when assembled with the member l0, to provide longitudinal slots for retaining the slide member may be formed of metal 0r any other suitable material having the necessary strength, comprises spaced apart side bars 22 and 23 connected by cross bars 24 and 25, which are spaced apart to provide a strap-receiving slot 26. As shown, the cross bar 25 is embossed downwardly over a central portion thereof, and `the other cross bar 24 is provided with an upstanding flange 21. The closure cap 2 I, as shown best in Fig. '7, oomprises spaced apart side bars 28 and 29 connected by spaced cross bars 30 and 3|, so as to provide a strap-receiving slot 32, and it will be understood that when the frames I9, 20 and 2| are assembled and disposed in threaded relation, as shown in Fig. 2, the various strap receiving slots I6, 26 and 32 will be in aligned relation so as to permit the threading of a strap or belt therethrough.

The cross bar 39 on the frame member 2| is provided adjacent its outer edge with an upstanding flange 33, which is notched out intermediate the ends thereof to provide end Iblocks 34, and the cross bar 3| on the frame 2| is provided at its outer edge with an upstanding ange 35. Likewise, as shown best in Fig. 7, the side bars 28 and 29 of the frame member 2| are provided at their outer edges with upstanding flanges 36 and 31, respectively, having arcuately shaped upper edges.

In order to receive the frame or insert mem-l ber 2| in interfltting relation so as to slidably support the slide 20 therebetween, the cross bar I4 on the frame member IIJ is provided, as shown best in Figs. 2 and 4, with a transversely extending groove 38 for receiving the flange 33, and with a downwardly extending flange 39 which nts within the notched out portion of the ange 33 between the end blocks 34. Similarly the cross bar I3 on the frame member I0 is provided with a transversely extending groove 4U for receiving the upstanding ange 35 on the cross bar 3| of the frame 2|, and a downwardly extending flange 4| on the cross bar I3 is adapted to overlap the inner edge of the flange 35. Extending longitudinally of the side bars and I2 between the grooves 38 and 4D are suitable slots 42 and 43 (Fig. 4) for receiving the upstanding flanges 36 and 31 on the side bars of the frame 2|. It will thus be seen that the outer walls of the grooves 33 and lil and the outer walls of the slots 42 and 43 define a substantially rectangular recess in the rear surface of the frame I0, which recess extends around the strap-receiving slot I6 and is adapted to receive the slide member 29 and the insert frame 2|.

The portion of the side bars I3 and I4 intermediate the grooves 42 and 43 and the respective inner edges of the side bars and I2 are partially cut away to provide guide surfaces 44 and 45 which define longitudinal slots in the inner faces of the side bars and I2 for receiving the slide member 25 when this slide member is positioned within the frame I9. This slide member is preferably positioned with the upper surfaces of the side bars 22 and 23 thereof respectively engaging the guide surfaces 44 and 45 of the longitudinal slots, and with the lower surfaces of the side bars 22 and 23 resting on the upper surface of the side bars 28 andl 29 on the insert or frame member 2|. The anges 33, 35, 39 and 4| on the frame members 2| and I9 are slightly greater in height than the thickness of the side bars 22 and 23 on the frame member 26, and thus when the plastic frame memlbers I and 2| are assembled together in interfltting relation, guide slots are formed extending longitudinally of the frame I9 for supporting the slide 20 for limiting sliding movement therein. As shown best in Fig. 2, the ange 39 on the cross bar I4 of the frame I0 and the cross bar 3| on the frame 2| respectively form stops to limit the rearward and forward movement of the slide 20 within the frame I0.

Assembly of the buckle is accomplished merely by inserting the slide member 20 into the frame I9 in the above described relation, and then securing the closure cap or insert 2| in position permanently to retain the slide member within the main frame IIJ. Although any suitable securing means such as cement may be employed to secure the members 2| and l0 together, it is preferable to coat the cooperating intertting surfaces of these two members with a binding rcaterial, such as acetone, which combines with the material of the frames to provide a substantially unitary or welded construction so that the two frame members become in effect a single integral plastic structure.

In the drawing the buckle is shown as applied to a belt or strap having one end V59 thereof looped about the cross bar I5 on the frame IIJ, so as to pass through the strap-receiving opening II, the belt being secured upon itself by sewing, gluing or any other desired securing means. The opposite or free end 5| of the belt, when the buckle is in the threading position shown in Fig. 2, may then be threaded upwardly through the strap-receiving openings 32, 25 and I6 in the members 2 I, 2|) and Il), respectively, which strap-receiving openings are in alignment in this position of the slide. It will be apparent that even though the slide is in its extreme right-hand position, as viewed in Fig. 2, threading of the free end of the strap otherwise than through the above indicated aligned openings is prevented by reason of the fact that the bulging face I9 of the cross bar I3 on the frame Il) so closely approaches the cross lbar 25 on the slide as to prevent threading of the strap therebetween. Obviously in any other position of the slide the cross bar 25 more closely approaches the bulging surface I9 and improper threading of the buckle is prevented in all positions.

When the belt or strap has been threaded through the buckle, as shown in Fig. 2, the application of tension to the strap will cause the threaded portion of the strap adjacent the free end 5| to engage the lower rounded surface of the cross bar 25 on the slide 20, which cross bar 25 constitutes the pull-up bar of the buckle. It will Ibe noted that the pull-up bar 25, by reason of its downward embossment, is disposed in a plane below the normal plane of the slide 20, and it will similarly be noted that the upstanding flange 21 on the cross bar 24 of the slide extends above the plane of the slide. Consequently the belt or strap is sufciently deflected from a straight path so that the application of tension does not merely pull the free end of the strap through the strap-receiving openings, but instead exerts a force on the pull-up bar 25 which tends to move the slide 2U in a left-hand direction. At the same time the tension on the end 50 of the strap tends to pull the frame I!) in right-hand direction due to the fact that this portion 50 is looped about the cross bar I5. Consequently relative sliding movement occurs and in Fig. 3 the parts of the buckle are shown in their respective clamping position. In these clamping positions the slide 2D is so positioned relative to the frame I0 that the strap is clamped therebetween with a Wedging clamping action.

Thus it win be een that in Fig. 3` the beit is engaged at three points, one on the slightly sloping surface I8, one on the bulging surface I 9, and the third along the upper edge of the flange 21 on the cross bar 24 of the slide, which cross bar and'fiange constitute the clamping |bar of the slide.

The clamping effect obtained is substantially the same as that which would be encountered if the under surface of the cross bar I3 extended to the bulging surface I9, but also tends to cause l the free end of the strap to lie substantially hat after passing through the buckle. It will thus be seen that the belt or strap tends to follow'the plane of the portion I8 which extends at only a slight angle (approximately 18, for example, with the plane of the buckle). If desired, the surface I8 may'extend parallel to the plane of the buckle, as is described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 449,236, filed July 1, 1942, now Patent No. 2,334,462, granted Nov. 16, 1943, and entitled Buckles. I prefer, however, to employ the slightly inclined surface, shown, as a somewhat easier release of the buckle is accomplished with this slight inclination.

To release the belt or strap for movement to another desired position, or for withdrawal of the free end I from the buckle,it is necessary only to exert a slight pull `in a right-hand direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, on the free end. This,

Q of course, may be accomplished either by a straight pull on the free end of the belt, or by pulling the free end around the edge of the cross bar I3. Sincethe pull-up bar 21 on the slide slightly underlies thecross bar I3 when in clamping position, pulling the end of the strap around the edge of the cross bar I3 tends to move the slide rearwardly and to effect release of the belt or strap.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it will be understood, of course, that it is not desired that the invention be limited thereto since modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Havingthus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be `secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A slide buckle comprising a frame formed of molded plastic material, a slide member, said frame and said slide memberhaving side bars i thereof, and a strap-gripping slide within said and cross bars defining strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said side bars of l,said molded frame having longitudinal slots in the inner faces'thereof to receive the side bars of said slide member, said slots being substantially rectilinear to restrain said slide member against transverse or tilting movement and support said slide member in longitudinal sliding frames having side bars and cross bars, said side bars of said slide engaging said longitudinal slots for movement therein. i

3. A slide buckle for releasably securing a strap in an adjusted position, said buckle comprising interfltting outer and inner plastic frames and a slide member entirely contained between said frames, said frames and saidslide ymember having spaced side bars and cross bars deilning strapreceiving openings to receive a strap, the outer of said framesV having peripheral embossments and grooves extending about one of said openings to form a slide-receiving recess, and the inner of said frames having complementary peripheral embossments and grooves to `interlit with said embossments and grooves on said outer frame to retain said slide member and strengthen said buckle when the inner frame is secured in interfltting relation within said recess.

4. A slide buckle comprising a pair of nested frames formed of molded plastic material secured together to confine a slide member therebetween, one of said frames being rearwardly recessed to receive the `other of said frames in nested relationship, said frames and said slide member having side bars and cross bars defining strap-receiving openings therethrough, said frames cooperating to define longitudinal slots to support Said slide member entirely therewithin,

5. A slide buckle comprising a pair of nested frames formed of molded plastic material secured together to' confine a slide member therebetween, one of said frames being rearwardly recessed to receive the other of said frames in nested relationship, said frames and said slide member having side bars and cross bars deiining strap-receiving openings therethrough, said fra mes cooperating to dene longitudinal slots to support said slide member entirely therewithin, and said cross bars on said frames forming stops for limiting the longitudinal movement of said slide member in said slots.

6. A slide buckle comprising a frame formed of molded plastic material, a slide member, said frame and said slide member having side bars and cross bars defining strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said side bars of said frame having longitudinal slots therein to receive the side bars of said slide member and support said slide member in sliding relation to said frame, one of said cross bars on said frame having a strap-engaging surface including a protruding bulge for cooperating with one of the cross bars on said slide member to clamp in adjusted positions a strap threaded therebetween. i

7. A slide buckle comprising a frame formed of molded plastic material, a slide member, said frame and said slide member having side bars and cross bars defining strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said side bars of said frame having longitudinal slots therein to receive the side bars of said slide member and support said slide member in sliding relation to said frame for movement between a threading position and a clamping position, one of said cross bars on said frame having a strap-engaging surface including a protruding bulge for cooperating with one of said cross bars on said slide member to clamp in adjusted position a strap threaded therebetween, another cross bar on said slide member underlying said bulge when said slide member is in said clamping position, said other cross bar on said slide membercooperating with said bulge to prevent improper threading of the strap through said buckle with said slide member in said threading position,

8. A slide buckle comprising a frame formed of molded plastic material, a slide member, said slide member and said frame having spaced side bars and interconnecting cross bars dening strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said cross bars on said frame comprising end bars and an intermediate bar, one of .said end bars having a strap-engaging under surface for cooperation with said slide to clamp a portion of a strap therebetween upon the application of tension to said strap, said intermediate bar forming a stop for positioning said slide in threading position.

9. A slide buckle for association with a strap comprising a pair of frames having intertting surfaces secured together to form a buckle casing having spaced side bars and cross bars dening strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said intertting frames being secured together at their edges only to leave a central slide-receiving space therebetween, the side bars of said frames having longitudinal slots therein, and a slide supported in said longitudinal slots and having cross bars, one of said cross bars having an upsta-nding strap-engaging ange extending above the plane of said longitudinal slots and the other of said cross bars being downwardly embossed to project below the plane of said longitudinal slots, one of the cross bars of said buckle casing having a protruding strap-engaging surface above the plane of said longitudinal slots and extending over a portion thereof, so that in clamping position of said slide one of the cross bars thereof cooperates with said protruding strap-engaging surface to clamp a straptherebetween and the other of said cross bars on said slide underlies said protruding surface. i

10. A buckle for releasably securing a strap in an adjusted position, said buckle comprising a pair of intertting plastic frames secured together to form a unitary buckle casing having a strapreceiving slot extending therethrough, each of said yframes having side bars provided with grooves cooperating to define longitudinal slots in the inner Sides of said side bars, and a strap- 'engaging slide movably supported in said longitudinal slots within said buckle casing for substantially rectilinear motion into engagement with said strap to retain said strap in adjusted position.

11. A slide buckle for releasably securing a strap in an adjusted position, said buckle comprising a frame member having side bars and cross bars dening strap-receiving openings therethrough to receive a strap, said side bars and cross bars being recessed on one surface of said frame, a slide positioned in said recess and having strap-engaging cross bars, and an insert frame member having edges for intertting engagement with the edges of said recess to be nested therein and retain said slide in place, one of the cross bars onsaid frame having a protruding strap-engaging portion and one of the cross bars on said slide having a downwardly embossed strap-engaging portion, said last mentioned cross bars cooperating to prevent improper threading of said strap through said buckle.

l2. A strap-gripping slide for buckles comprising an elongated strip of sheet material having side bars and cross bars dening a strap-receiving opening therethrough to receive a strap, one

of said cross bars having an upwardly directed strap-engaging portion extending above the plane of said slide and the other of said cross bars having a downwardly directed strap-engaging portion extending below said plane.

PAUL W. WHITE. 

